Breakdown news

* The free MOT and car wash offer is available to new customers purchasing any option in addition to roadside assistance.

The free MOT is valid for 1 Class 4 MOT test at National Tyres and Autocare (standard rate: £54.85) and must be redeemed within 13 months of purchase. The vehicle presented for testing must be registered at the same address as the breakdown cover and customers will be required to show their membership card in order to claim the offer. Failure to comply may result in the customer being charged for any MOT completed. Any work required to pass the MOT is not included in the offer.

Eligible customers will also receive 6 car wash vouchers for use at participating IMO/ARC car wash centres. Each voucher is valid for one 'Wash 3' service (standard rate: £5) that includes a hand pre-wash, wheel wash, 8 brush soft wash, dry and under car wash. The vouchers must be presented upon arrival at the IMO/ARC car wash centre and are valid until 31 October 2015. Defaced, illegible, damaged or photocopied vouchers will not be accepted. The vouchers cannot be used with any other promotion and their use is subject to the availability of the car wash facility and the terms and conditions of IMO/ARC.

We'll write to you with details on how to claim your free MOT and car wash vouchers after a validation period of 28 days from the cover purchase date. The offer ends 22 April 2015 and is not available to customers living in Northern Ireland or to those arriving from 'cashback' websites such as Quidco, TopCashback, Asperity or Greasy Palm. No cash equivalent or alternative offer is available and the AA reserves the right to withdraw or alter this promotion without prior notice at any time.

1 Source: Y&R BrandAsset™ Valuator April 2014. The AA came first in a survey of over 3000 people in the UK, ahead of the Post Office and Boots (charities excluded).

2 AA members can save up to 20% on food and drink at over 50 Moto service areas across the UK. For more information see Moto terms and conditions.

3 Source: AA Case Repair Rate September 2013 – August 2014

4 Source: AA Breakdown Cover Monthly Holdings Report, September 2014.

Which? is an independent consumer research group that has named us as a recommended breakdown provider.

Defaqto is an independent financial research company that has awarded AA breakdown services a 5-star rating.

Existing breakdown customers

Broken down?

If you have Breakdown Repair Cover (parts and garage cover) and your vehicle needs parts and/or garage labour, please see How to make a claim or call our claims helpline on 0844 579 0042.Mon–Fri 9am–6pm, Saturdays 9am–1pm

Had an accident?

For free advice following a road-traffic accident call the AA Accident Assist team on 0800 048 2678

Change or renew your breakdown cover

We'll write to you well in advance of your renewal, but if you'd like to talk to someone about renewing or changing your cover now, call:

Frequently asked questions

All you need to know about AA Breakdown Cover

About AA Breakdown Cover

How does the AA compare with other breakdown organisations?

As the UK's largest breakdown organisation, we fix more breakdowns by the roadside than anyone else. There's no charge for labour at the roadside and over 95% of our breakdown cover reviews recommend us. Members are also entitled to member benefits, which could save you more than the cost of your membership.

What are the chances of you repairing my car at the roadside?

We're able to help over 3.5 million people a year. We fix 8 out of 10 cars at the roadside using unique on-board computers to help diagnose faults when you've broken down.

How many times can I break down?

You can call us out five times in one year of cover (seven times with cover for two people or eight with family cover) without incurring any call-out charges. If you've been with us for over 12 months, you can have two additional call-outs a year.

How quickly can you reach me?

If you break down, we've got the latest satellite technology to help find the shortest route to get to you. We also give priority to people in vulnerable situations. If you download our app we can locate you by using your mobile phone's GPS signal.

Will you come out if I'm the passenger rather than the driver?

Yes, you'll be covered as a driver or a passenger. If you've got cover for you this applies for any vehicle. With vehicle cover, you'll be covered in the vehicle you've registered with us.

Are pets covered if I break down?

We'll try to accommodate pets wherever possible. If we can't transport your pet we'll do what we can to help with alternative arrangements for them. We recommend that pet owners use suitable pet travel carriers or restraints that are transferable in order to help ensure they can be transported safely.

Will family cover apply to my child when they're away at university?

Yes, students living away while studying at university or living at a temporary address are still covered under family cover.

Do you cover taxis?

Yes, but we can't offer the optional parts and garage cover to taxis or any vehicles used for reward.

Do you cover caravans and trailers?

Yes, we'll provide assistance for a caravan or trailer that's on tow at the time of a breakdown as long as it fits within our weight and width restrictions (see below).

Do you have any vehicle height and weight restrictions?

We do have some restrictions in place to make sure we can recover your vehicle if necessary. It must be under 3.5 tonnes (3,500kg) and be no wider than 7ft 6in (2.3m).

Is there a vehicle age or mileage limit?

No, we can cover vehicles of any age or mileage.

What vehicles can I cover with parts and garage cover?

We'll cover vehicles of any age or mileage as long as they aren't used for reward. This means that we can't cover vehicles such as taxis, limos or delivery vehicles.

What's Silver and Gold membership?

These are membership upgrades that provide breakdown cover enhancements to our loyal breakdown members. Please see Silver and Gold membership for more information.

Buying breakdown cover

How soon will I be covered if I apply online?

Your Roadside Assistance begins immediately after your online application has been successfully processed. If you provide your email address we'll email you confirmation of your cover. Your documents and membership card(s) will be posted to you within 28 days. Please note: cover at home, national recovery and onward travel options only start 24 hours after your membership begins. Parts and garage cover begins 14 days after your cover has started.

Can I buy cover online if I've broken down?

If you're currently broken down you can't buy cover online but you can still call us on 0800 88 77 66 or 0121 275 3746 to arrange cover and assistance. Please note: additional charges will apply if you don't already have cover when you break down.

Do I get a discount if I've got another AA product?

We have introductory offers for the first year of cover so there aren't any additional discounts available for customers who already have another AA product such as car insurance.

Can I buy breakdown cover for someone else?

If you want to arrange personal cover for someone else please call us on 0800 085 2721. However, if you just want to cover a specific vehicle you can buy vehicle cover online.

Is my online payment secure?

Yes. We use the highest form of encryption generally available to make sure your payment is safe. Our secure-server software scrambles all the details you input before they are sent, so that only we can understand them.

When are monthly payments collected?

If paying monthly, you'll pay an initial deposit by card and we'll then set up a monthly Direct Debit from your bank account. Your first Direct Debit payment will be taken in two weeks time, followed by monthly payments on or around the same date of each month.

Can I just make a one-off payment for one year of cover?

We only offer continuous payment options online as this is the easiest way to arrange cover. If you want to use a one-off payment method, please call us on 0800 085 2721.

How do I claim the free cover that came with my insurance policy?

If you've received free breakdown cover as part of your home or car insurance, visit Free Roadside Cover to claim it.

Existing breakdown customers

I've broken down but haven't received my membership card yet. What should I do?

Don't worry, just call us on 0800 887766 or 0121 275 3746 if you break down. If you bought your breakdown cover online, please remember to quote the membership number that was emailed to you at the time.

Can I change the way I pay for AA Breakdown Cover?

Yes. We provide a choice of easy payment methods. When you renew you can choose to set up a direct debit or a continuous payment by credit or debit card. These options will save you time in the future as we'll renew your cover automatically at the end of the year. You can also make a one-off payment with either a credit or debit card when renewing. We accept Visa and MasterCard. Alternatively, you can pay for your cover monthly directly from your bank account. Just call us on 0844 316 4444.

Can I make changes to my breakdown cover?

Yes. If you'd like to talk to someone about changing your cover, please call us on 0843 316 4444 or 0161 332 1789.

How do I claim the offer I've received to upgrade my cover online?

If you've received a special offer to upgrade your cover online, visit Boost your breakdown to claim it.

How do I complain about AA products or services?

If you're unhappy with our service for any reason, we really want to hear from you. Please see the information on what you need to do next.

Renewing your cover

How can I renew my breakdown cover?

We'll send you a renewal invitation about three weeks before your cover is due to expire. This will include details of your renewal and the various ways to renew. If you're not already paying on a continuous credit card or annual direct debit basis, you can choose a payment method to suit you. You'll soon be able to renew your cover online, but until then call us on 0844 316 4444.

Will I keep my existing membership number when I renew my breakdown cover?

Yes, your membership number will stay the same even if you've made changes to your cover.

How much will my renewal price be next year?

This will depend on your individual circumstances, which include things like where you live, your breakdown history and any other relevant information we hold about you as a customer of the AA Group. We'll contact you before your renewal date to let you what your renewal price will be.